PUYALLUP RIVERWALK

"Long enough in the desert a man like other animals can learn to smell water. Can learn, at least, the smell of things associated with water—the unique and heartening odor of the cottonwood tree, for example, which in the canyonlands is the tree of life."
—page 131, Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey

Phase three of Puyallup's Riverwalk Trail officially opened today. The three completed phases of the trail, with one minor interruption of eleven blocks of city streets, span the width of the city from west to east. It is no desert, but the entire length of trail is bordered by the river and its attendant cottonwoods.

Last night, the wife, the child, and I took a preview bike ride of the new section. The wife was on her bike and the child rode behind Troy's Work Table on his bike, in the child's newly acquired toddler bike seat. The child thought it to be very fun. When we rode on the city streets between phases one and three, the child declared: "We're like a car Daddy." When we coasted along the trail, the child declared: "I'm like a bird. I'm flying on the trail."

The new section of trail is the most beautiful of the three. There are a couple of stretches that are bordered by the river on one side and a split-rail fence, green belt, and wetlands on the other. If you were unable to hear nearby traffic on highway 410, you wouldn't know you were in the city. The other sounds along this part of the trail are heavy with birdsong. The child and I could pick out robin, towhee, sparrow, plover, and mallard duck. It was a great bike ride for the family through a wonderful city park trail.

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This morning, the child and I wandered back to the trailhead of the new phase for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. All of the local and state officials who played a part in the building of the trail were present. A brief speech was made, a plaque was unveiled, thanks were given, and the ribbon was cut. It was nice to see politicians, who have backed and supported recreation for the community, at a simple ceremony of dedication on National Trails Day, without all of the bluster that can oftentimes accompany such events. Once the trail was opened, people started "officially" hiking, biking, and rollerblading.